Euro S4 4.2

[Øyvind Ellefsen <oyvind.ellefsen@lantec.no>]

Hi listers,

Some ramblings and questions about my "new" car, a `94 S4 4.2.

I got sick of my old `86 Celica in december. The options were either a
Quattro of some kind, or a newer 4x4 turbo Celica. With 6 months of
winter driving (I live in Norway), quattro is almost a must. A wagon
would also be nice, as I'm a hangglider pilot, and need to transport a 6
meters long hangglider on the roof. (Long roof + rails = good)
I tried a 83 Ur-q, 87 80q, 92 S4 2.2 Wagon, 94 S4 4.2 Wagon, 95 S6.2.2
Wagon, 97 A4 1.8tqw, and a 98 S8 4.2 (Not within my price range, but it
was fun, and impossible to explain the feeling of driving it, awesome
car)  After trying the 4.2 S4 I was sold :-) 

It has a 6 speed manual gearbox, Bose sound, sport seats (non leather),
and all the usual S4 stuff, including carbon trim. Volcano black
exterior, black interior.
It's chipped with what the dealer claimed is a "Original Audi racing
chip" supposed to give 330HP. I've never heard about that one, anyone on
the list? 
The car feels faster than a unchipped S6 4.2. I tested it to redline in
5'th gear - 240 km/h, and one more gear to go, accelrated like a jet all
the way. The new chip is supposed to remove the 250 km/h speed limiter.
16" 5 spoke Audi wheels. 245/45 Yokohama S1-Z's feels great, I've only
had them on for a few days thou...

Due to the insanely high car prices here, the back seats are removed and
the trunk extended to the back of the front seats. This means the car
get green plates, gets classified as a, uh.. "Car for transporting
goods", and saves me about $25000 in taxes. I paid about $36000 for the
car, with 120000 km on the odometer.

Does this car have a torsen diff? I can lock the rear diff up to 25
km/h. It feels like a RWD when cornering to fast on snow and ice, but
it's not hard to provoke a understeer. I have not played with it on dry
track yet.

Troubles and questions so far:
- Changed brake pads, G60 brakes feels pretty good on this car. (Audi
pads)
- 120000 km dealer service. (Oil, plugs, brake fluid, timing belt, +++)
- Slack in transaxle, installed a new, $1200. Argh.
- Syncrings in 1. and 2. gear feels worn, insane price for a new
gearbox. I'll drive until this one breaks.
- Brake bomb is dead, dealer wants $1100 plus labor. Can I take one from
a 100 Avant, or any other Audi ?
- AC condenser got a leak today, a stone came thru the grill and hit a
line in the condenser. Why did not Audi install a net in front of the
radiators ?? Anyone BTDT ? Guess I have to remove bumper and front
lights to install a new??
- Shocks are worn, I'm planning to install Yellow Konis, and a lowering
kit. A fried of mine has a lowering kit for a S6, does that fit my S4 ?
- Bushings probably worn too, makes "bumping" sounds when riding over
dumps ?

All in all I'm pleased with it, very fast, great finish, and "wolf in
sheeps clothes" look The quattro drive makes it fun to live in a place
with lots of snow and ice.

- Oyvind